Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes lawmakers to call a special session during a public emergency.

Highlights:

• Defines "advisory group" as the legislative state of emergency advisory group (Sec. 1.2-1).

• Requires the general assembly to convene under this chapter if the legislative council adopts a resolution that finds all of the following (Sec. 7.a):

• The governor has declared a state of emergency that the legislative council determines has a statewide impact;

• It is necessary for the general assembly to address the state of emergency with legislative action; and

• It is necessary for the general assembly to convene an emergency session, in accordance with its authority to determine the length and frequency of legislative sessions.

• Establishes the advisory group has the following duties (Sec. 11.e):

• The advisory group will make itself available to consult with, receive information from, and advise the governor concerning the state of emergency and any executive orders issued in response to the state of emergency;

• The advisory group will review, evaluate, and make recommendations with respect to a state of emergency and any executive orders issued in response to the state of emergency; an

• The advisory group will inform the members of the general assembly concerning its work,the state of emergency, and executive orders issued in response to the state of emergency.

• Defines "federal economic stimulus funds" as federal money received by the state under federal legislation enacted in response to a recession or nationwide disaster (Sec. 3).

• Establishes the economic stimulus fund. Within the economic stimulus fund the auditor of state shall create a separate account for each separate federal stimulus legislation enacted. All discretionary funds received by the state must be deposited in the corresponding account within the economic stimulus fund unless prohibited by federal law (Sec. 4.a).

• Establishes before discretionary funds deposited into the economic stimulus fund during a period in which the general assembly is not convened in a regular session, an emergency session, or a special session may be allotted to or expended by a state agency or instrumentality, the allotment or expenditure must be reviewed by the budget committee (Sec. 6).

• Prohibits discretionary funds deposited into the economic stimulus fund from being expended, transferred, assigned, or otherwise removed from the economic stimulus fund by the state board of finance, the budget agency, or any other state agency except as permitted (Sec. 7).

• Specifies a person who knowingly,intentionally,or recklessly violates this chapter or an order authorized by this chapter commits a Class B infraction (Sec. 8).

Full Bill Text

Vetoed by Governor Eric Holcomb